Misao Okawa, a descendant of kimono merchants in the city of Osaka, western Japan, received a visit from Town Mayor Takehiro Ogura earlier this week ahead of her birthday, a nursing home employee said.

Wearing a pink kimono with a red flower headdress, Okawa was presented with a bouquet by the Mayor at the facility near her home.

Asked for a comment on this year's birthday, the centenarian said, "It is quite a long time."

She will be given a cake with candles decorated with numbers, 116, later on Wednesday to celebrate the day with fellow residents and family members, the employee said.

"She is in good shape, and is even still gaining weight. She eats sushi, her favourite, and whatever she likes -- beef stew, spaghetti, sashimi every day,” the employee said.

"She always says the secret to living a long time is to eat a good meal and relax," he added.

Earlier in 2013, Okawa received a certificate from Guinness World Records confirming her status as the oldest living woman.

She was born on March 5, 1898, and married in 1919. According to the media, the lady has three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Japan, known for the longevity of its people, was home to the oldest man ever to have lived, Jiroemon Kimura, who died in June 2013 at the age of 116.